Controlled connected reading

Short A Decodable Passages

Three original reading levels with word previews and comprehension

Practise short A in connected text after learners can blend common Short A CVC words. Each passage increases the amount of mixed review without asking the learner to guess from pictures.

Before reading a passage

A passage is decodable only when its spelling patterns match what the learner has already studied. Preview the listed focus words and any temporarily irregular high-frequency words before beginning.

1PreviewRead the five focus words.
2DecodeBlend unfamiliar words from print.
3RereadRead again with natural phrasing.
4UnderstandAnswer questions from the text.

Three levels

Short A reading practice

Level 1 · CVC focus

Sam and the Map

Preview: Sam · map · path · bag · van

Sam had a map in his bag. The map had a path to a van. Sam ran on the path. At the van, Sam sat and had a snack. Then Sam put the map back in his bag.

Check understanding

  1. What was in Sam’s bag?
  2. Where did the path lead?
  3. What did Sam do at the van?
Level 2 · Add blends

The Black Bag

Preview: black · bag · cap · flag · track

A black bag sat by the track. A red cap and a small flag were in the bag. Jack ran back to get it. He put on the cap, held the flag, and ran one lap on the track.

Check understanding

  1. Where was the bag?
  2. What two things were inside?
  3. What did Jack do on the track?
Level 3 · Mixed review

A Snack at Camp

Preview: camp · snack · ham · jam · glad

Brad and Pam camped by a flat rock. Pam had ham, and Brad had jam. They sat on a mat and had a snack. A crab ran past the sand. Brad and Pam were glad they had a fun plan at camp.

Check understanding

  1. Where did Brad and Pam sit?
  2. What food did each person have?
  3. What animal ran past?

Use evidence from the reading

Support accuracy, fluency, and meaning

Do not supply the word too quickly

Point to the unfamiliar spelling and ask the learner to say its sounds before blending.

Do not turn rereading into a race

A second accurate, expressive reading is enough. Speed without attention to print is not the goal.

Return to an easier level when needed

If several words in each sentence require help, review the matching word families first.

Ask for text evidence

Have the learner point to the sentence that supports each comprehension answer.

Offline reading

Print these passages

The print version keeps all three passages, word previews, and questions. Use your browser to print them or save a PDF.

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